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Churchtalk

Week ending Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The expressions of God

The expressions of God

Te Atua tei akaari pu tika ia mai

If a public poll was taken on what are the most intimate, affectionate and closest forms of human expression seen throughout the entire 2009 Pacific Mini Games, I would expect the answers to be the joyous handshakings, embracings, hugs and kisses seen amongst the officials, athletes, spectators, tourists, visitors and the public at large.

It was overflowing at every arrival of each and every delegation, at every venue they are accommodated, at every official or small function, at churches, on and off every sporting venue, at presentations of medals, in the shops, at the markets, on the roads and everywhere.

Two very basic and fundamental human forms of expressions reigned supreme – meeting with a handshake and a kiss, with a hug and a cuddle.

Whether winning or losing a game, winning or losing a medal, winning or losing a favour, winning or losing an opportunity or privilege – it still revolves right back to a “handshake and a kiss”.

It causes me huge wonder if people ever really get down to some serious thinking why such natural and overwhelming acts of modesty, sincerity and kindness are ever possible, especially at a time of tough national rivalries and competition.

Whether or not they ever realise that they were and we all are, knowingly or unknowingly, conscious or unconsciously, but just merely play-acting, interacting and exchanging – the expressions of God.

The scripture from Psalm 85 merely states: “Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other.” This in fact is not talking about two persons meeting and another two kissing.

It is not involving four persons in the picture but One.

God is Grace, God is Truth, God is Righteousness and God is Peace. Grace, Truth, Righteousness and Peace are all manifested in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world. He is the Grace, Truth, Righteousness and Peace of God.

Therefore, while we meet one another with a handshake, embrace one another with a kiss, a hug and cuddle, we are merely expressing the true nature and characteristic of God which is Love.

John 4:7, 8, 11 & 12 invites us, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Finally, on behalf of the Religious Advisory Council and all Christian churches and people of the Cook Islands, I wish to extend deep, sincere and hearty words of condolences to all our Samoan, Tongan, Filipino and Indonesian communities here in the Cook Islands and those who came for the Games.

We pray for God’s comfort and strength upon all families and loved ones directly affected by the recent flood, earthquake and tsunami resulting with the loss of lives, homes and livelihoods – we love you all and share in your grief, heartaches and loss.

God bless and comfort us all.

Bishop Tutai Pere

RAC Chairman